HL Deb 23 January 1989 vol 503 cc586-8WA
Lord Sefton of Garston

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the promise made by Lord Brabazon of Tara to Lord Sefton of Garston on 21st December 1988, what subsidies are paid per head of the population for transport in the South-Eastern Region and what similar subsidies are paid for the rest of the country.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

Because of inconsistencies in the data available for different modes of transport, it is not possible to give a single set of figures in answer to the Question.

For British Rail, grant is paid from central government to the board in respect of subsidised passenger services as a whole; it is not allocated by the Government to sectors. In 1987–88 approximately 30 per cent. of the grant was allocated by British Rail to Network SouthEast, giving per capita subsidy figures for BR of around £14 in the South East region and £15 in the rest of Britain.

Government subsidy to London Regional Transport in 1987–88 represented approximately £14 per head of population in the South East. About two-thirds of the total sum was recovered from London ratepayers.

In addition central government support for bus services and transport in rural areas (largely fuel duty rebate and rural bus grant) was around £2.50 per capita in the South East and £3.50 per capita elsewhere in Britain.

Local authority support in 1987–88 for other public transport services (including revenue support for local bus, train and underground services outside London) was around £2 per head of population in the South East and £7.50 per head of population in the rest of Britain.

Local authority support for concessionary fares schemes in 1987–88 was approximately £6.50 per capita in the South East and £6 per capita elsewhere in Britain.

Note: Population figures are derived from OPCS estimates at mid-1987. The figure for British Rail is approximate as the boundaries of Network South East do not coincide with the boundaries of the South East region used for the purpose of population estimates.